Method of repairing ruptured pneumatic tubes.



J. c. mvm.

METHOD OF REPAIRING RUPTURED PNEUMATIC TUBES.

MPLFCATION EILED OCT- 6,1914.

Patented June 13, 1916.

ATTORNEYS JOHN C. IRVIN, OF JERSEY SHORE, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF REPAIRING RUPTURED PNEUMATIC TUBES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J une 13, 1916,

Application filed October 6, 1914. Serial No. 865,229.

- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. 1mm, a-"citizen of the United States, and a resident of Jersey Shore, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Method of Repairing Ruptured Pneumatic Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

The defects of the ordinary method or patch system of repairing punctures'or other ruptures of pneumatic tubes in tires of auto vehicles are well known to experts, and numerous attempts have been made to overcome them, but without entire success.

By long experinientationand severe tests in actual use, I have discovered and demonstrated an improved method by which the said defects are entirely overcome, the

method enabling repairs to be efifected more cheaply and with practically absolute security, and without the use of'a patch or reinforce such-as is ordinarily employed.

The method is hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, are plan views, and Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, are sectional views, of the same parts illustrating the application of my method of tube repair; and

. Figs. 7 and 8 are views supplemental to Figs. 7 and 8.

As a preparatory step in the repair of a rubber tube which has been punctured or otherwise ruptured, I employ a file, sandpaper, or bufling-wheel for cleaning the surfaces of the tube adjacent to the puncture or rupture, thereby removing a portion of the oxidized surface and any foreign particles that may adhere to the same. If the edges of the opening a, Figs. 1 and 1 are ragged or uneven to a considerable degree, they are trimmed to fair uniformity of contour and outline, and are preferably beveled as shown at 7), Figs. 2 and 2 in order to form a broader edge or adhering surface. I then prepare for insertion in the opening formed by the rupture, a piece of soft uncured or unvulcanized rubber 0, Figs. 3 and 3 the same being cut from a rubber sheet having smooth parallel. sides having the same thickness as the tube to which it is to be applied. The piece 0 is cut to the same form and dimension as the opening orinto which it is therefore neatly fitted, as shown in Figs. 3 and 3. Thus the inserted piece forms a smooth, flush surface on both sides, the two surfaces being parallel with each other. I then apply bisulfid of carbon to the raw edges of the rupture, whereby they are prepared for appllcation of a cement, which may bethat commonly used by tube repairers.

When a due degree of dryness has been attained, the parts treated as described are inserted in a vulcanizer between smooth, fiat, and parallel dies or plates forming part of such apparatus. Vulcanization is carried to the usual degree in tube-repair, and the result is a tube having a uniform thickness'or parallel surfaces, or a smoothflush joint between the inserted piece and the adjacent edges of the rupture. In other words, a practically homogeneous union between the inserted piece and the adjacent portions of the tube is produced, the joint having practically thesame thickness, smoothness, elasticity, and durability as other portions ofa tube where no puncture or rupturehas oc curred. Tubes thus repaired have, therefore, practically the same capacity to withstand wear and use as un-ruptured tubes, the same having thus a great advantage over tubes repaired. by means of patches and reinforcements applied in the usual way.

In place of using a piece of raw or uncured rubber, as above described, for the inserted piece,-I have found it practicable to produce a good result by using a piece of soft vulcanized rubber, the same being cut out of a'rubber sheet having the same thickness as the tube at the point of repair, and the edges of the same being treated with bisulfid of carbon and the operation being the same as already described.

In Figs. 4 and 4? a tube section is shown with an elongated ruptured centralportion presenting a considerable opening and the ends being rips or apertures whose edges are contiguous. In such case, a piece a of raw uncured rubber may be cut out and trimmed as required to fit neatly in the larger opening, and bisulfid of carbon and cement may be applied to the ruptured edges of the extension 0 In Figs. 5, 5", a tube is shown divided or torn in two transversely, and in Figs. 6 and 6 such edges are shown re-united as indicated at (Z. This may be effected by using a piece or narrow strip of raw or uncured rubber, which is applied between the opposed edges d, such strip having of course, the same thickness as the tube, so that when the joint is formed the exterior and interior while thus held together.

surfaces will be parallel as in the cases before described. I find it is, however, practicable to form a'good joint by dispensing with an inserted strip or piece and applying bisulfid of carbon and cement to the raw edges of the tube, and bringing them into contact, manually, then vulcanizing, as beis ready for vulcanization. It will be understood that this method is applicabke to rips or blow-outs of great length, the adjacent I edges being brought together, when practicable, or, whenever required, a piece of raw rubber being inserted in the manner already described.

Praetigallythe same method is applied in repair whertlfere is a simple round puncture f, as in Figs B and 8. The rubber tube is folded or the sides held together as shown in Fig. 8*, or as in the case of the rupture e already described, and the bisulfid and cement are successively applied, as before demsmae these cases, that is tosay, in repair of the ruptures e and f, the bisulfid must be allowed to drybefore the application of cement, as already described in reference to other punctures.

What I claim is:

.1. The method of repairing ruptured or punctured rubber tubes, which consists in fitting into the rupture a piece of sheet rubber having the same contour and size as the rupture and the same thickness as the edges of the tube adjacent to the rupture, then applying to the opposed edges of the tube and the inserted piece a substance adapted to clean and soften the same then applying scribed. It-will bev understood that in both rubber cement to the opposed edges and pressing them into close contact, and vulcanizing the parts thus treated, as described. v

-2. The method of repairing ruptures in rubber tubes, the same consisting in applying to the opposed raw edges of the rupture .a substance adapted to clean and 'soften the same: next, applying a cement and bringing the opposed edges together and allowing the cement to dry; then vulcanizing the parts, the outer and inner surfaces of said edges being thus flush or parallel as described.

' JOHN G. lllEtVllN.

Witnesses:

Amos W. HART, SoLoN O.- KEMoN. 

